Stoptober is back

6 October 2017

Stoptober is back.

With Stoptober in full swing for a sixth year, a new report explains why there’s never been a better time to give up smoking.

New data published in a University College of London (UCL) report[1] shows that the chances of quitting smoking successfully are higher than at any time over the past 10 years. And the good news is that for the first time, smokers on lower incomes and in manual occupational groups have virtually the same chances of quitting as those in white collar jobs.

So, what’s changed?

The UCL report gives a number of reasons for the upturn,

better and more quitting aid options, with e-cigarettes now the most popular;

more restrictions on smoking;

banning the use of attractive brand imagery on tobacco packaging;

a strong anti-smoking culture in England; and

effective stop smoking campaigns such as Stoptober.

The report coincides with the launch of the Stoptober quit smoking challenge, which has inspired over one and a half million quit attempts since 2012. The campaign is based on research that if you stop smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stop for good.

For the first time, the Stoptober 2017 campaign includes advice on using e-cigarettes as a quit option. There is also information about using medications and professional support to beat cravings and quit smoking.

Ian Ashworth, Cheshire West and Chester’s Director of Public Health said “The battle against smoking is far from over—it is still our biggest killer, causing over 800 deaths a year in Cheshire West and Chester.
“Far too many people are still dying as a result of smoking but there has never been a better time to quit—the culture is changing, strong legislation is in place and effective support is available. It’s never too late to give up—any smoker, no matter what their age, will feel the health benefits within months. Make the commitment to stop, join Stoptober and add healthier years to your life.”

Councillor Louise Gittins, Deputy Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cabinet member for Communities and Well Being adds “Fewer local people are smoking than ever before in Cheshire West and Chester. In fact, our smoking rate of one in nine adults is the lowest in the North West and we want to see that healthy downward trend continue. So, if you want to make that commitment and become a healthier individual, contact Quit 51, our free stop smoking service, which is part of the online Cheshire Change Hub. You can find support for a range of healthy living services, including exercise and weight loss. Quit 51 has helped thousands of people to quit and offers expert advice, support and free medication from a range of venues across the borough. You will initially receive convenient, weekly appointments and up to 12 weeks of specialist support in total.”

Even if you have made several attempts in the past to stop smoking, now is a great time to make that change and join in with Stoptober. You will benefit from added free support direct to your phone, laptop or tablet via the Stoptober app, a daily email giving support or Facebook Messenger, free face-to-face support plus a raft of advice and information on the website. Search ‘Stoptober’ online and join the thousands of people who go smokefree once and for all this year.

You can also contact the Quit 51 stop smoking service: call 0800 622 6968 or text ‘smokefree’ to 66777. Check out the Cheshire Change Hub to find out about a range of health support services available cheshirechangehub.org

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